Don’t Settle for Less: The Long-Term Costs of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted by: Kemmy Law Firm

The bones in the skull are extremely effective in safeguarding your brain, but it has its limits. According to researchers at the Mayo Clinic, any violent blow or impact to the head can lead to traumatic brain injury (TBI), including motor vehicle crashes, slip and falls, and work-related incidents.

Since the brain is an extremely complicated machine, there’s a wide range of medical implications that affect you immediately. However, the long range outlook of living with TBI can be even more significant.

If you suffered a head injury in any kind of accident, solid legal representation is essential. You may be entitled to compensation for your losses as the victim of TBI, and our team at Kemmy Law Firm will assist in pursuing all options available under Texas law.

Please contact us to schedule a no-cost consultation with one of our skilled attorneys. We can explain why a Texas brain injury lawyer is your most valuable asset when you’re seeking damages for your losses. Call us at (210) 750-1019 today or contact us online.

Long-Term Implications and Treatment of TBI

The six lobes of the brain handle different physical, cognitive, and behavioral tasks. As such, the exact nature of TBI complications depends upon the area of the brain that was affected and the extent of the damage.

When more than one lobe sustains trauma, the implications will be widespread. The victim may require emergency surgery or other procedures, followed by long periods of hospitalization.

However, this treatment is only intended to stabilize a TBI. In the following months and years, a person with a head injury may experience certain long-term consequences:

• Lack of physical control over certain areas of the body;
• Decreased sensation and weakness in the extremities;
• Issues with attention span and memory;
• Complications with hearing and vision;
• Diminished motor skills;
• Problems with balance and coordination;
• Emotional effects, mood swings, and depression;
• Behavioral implications and angry outbursts; and,
• Reduced social and occupational skills.

What to Consider in TBI Settlement Discussions

When discussing settlement, it’s necessary to look many years into the future with respect to how a brain injury affects the victim’s life. Though it’s not possible to state with absolute accuracy the expenses that the individual will incur over time, settlement discussions take place in the present. The compensation you negotiate now must be sufficient to cover many expenses to come, some of which are foreseeable.

On the one hand, there are the medical costs related to a brain injury. But it’s also possible that a TBI victim will be unable to walk, drive, work, handle personal hygiene, or live independently.

Over a lifetime, the individual may require:

• Additional restorative surgeries;
• Physical therapy;
• Medications;
• Treatment from medical specialists;
• At-home care from qualified professionals;
• Medical equipment, including a specialized bed, wheelchair, adjustments to vehicles and the residence, and many other assistive devices.

As you can see, the costs can reach astronomical levels within just a few years after a head injury. In addition, the damage to the brain may increase the likelihood that a victim of TBI could develop other medical conditions, such as frequent seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and infections.

All of these factors must be taken into account when discussing TBI settlement.

How a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help

With all the long-term medical costs associated with a brain injury, it’s critical to work with a knowledgeable TBI attorney.

In most accident cases, your first step in the settlement process will be filing a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company. Insurers are businesses, so their first priority is protecting company interests. Your claim is a threat to the company’s bottom line, so you may receive a lowball offer to settle. Considering the medical costs alone, you know that an insufficient TBI settlement will put you in dire financial straits.

If the insurance company refuses to settle for a fair, reasonable amount, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit in court. Litigation requires in-depth legal background in statutory and case law, along with extensive knowledge of the applicable court procedural rules.

By retaining a TBI attorney, you have an advantage in dealing with an insurance company. Your injury lawyer has skills in negotiations, backed by experience in evaluating the long-term costs of TBI. An attorney will only settle with the insurer for an amount that’s sufficient to cover the expenses you’ll face in the coming years. If necessary, your lawyer can take the case to court to get the monetary damages you deserve as a victim.

Get Help from an Experienced TBI Attorney in Texas

To learn more about how our family of attorneys have helped victims of TBI, please contact Kemmy Law Firm to set up a free case evaluation. We serve injury victims in Odessa-Midland, TX and throughout the Permian Basin in a wide range of personal injury matters.

You can reach us by calling (210) 750-1019 or contact us online. Once we review your circumstances, we’ll in a better position to advise you on your rights after suffering traumatic brain injury.